The Metro Board Budget Committee agreed today to hold public hearings on proposed Metrobus and Metrorail service changes as it weighs the fiscal 2007 budget. Board members also proposed to host a regional bus conference to assess bus service throughout the national capital area. See a detailed presentation of the proposed changes. (PDF file)

The proposed budget service changes include eliminating low ridership bus routes and re-investing the cost savings in weekend and off-peak bus service, restructuring select bus routes to improve performance, offering weekday rail service on four major holidays, and extending the use of six-car trains during off-peak and weekend hours for an additional three months when ridership is high.

Councilmember Jim Graham hosted the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA / Metro) on Monday, January 23, 2006, at a community meeting held in the auditorium of the Home Finance Agency, 815 U Street, NW.  WMATA presented several options during the meeting that could create substantal increases in Metrorail service on the Green Line and additional benefits for Metrorail riders.

Feedback from the attendees, which included members of ANC 1B, CSNA, and the MidCity Business Assocation, was nearly universal that for the short-term, the extension of the Yellow Line is not only feasible, but also an economic bargain when looking at transportation issues as a whole.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is looking ahead to 2006 with a continued back-to-basics approach that will focus on safe, clean and reliable service for the 1.2 million passengers who use Metrorail, Metrobus and Metroaccess each weekday.

Image courtesy of WMATA

Metro will continue to reach out to its customers with new service initiatives and enhancements in 2006. The implementation of the Metro Riders Advisory Council, a new and re-engineered complaint handling system, a Spanish language trip planner, an automated telephone switchboard system, and a customer service quality assurance team to oversee phone, e-mail and correspondence with customers will all enhance the experience of both current and future Metro riders.

In addition, Metro will continue its efforts to enhance managerial and organizational performance and accountability. It is evaluating the establishment of a new Office of Inspector General as a part of this effort.

Should Metro extend the Yellow Line?
Community Meeting

Monday, January 23 at 7:00pm

Home Finance Agency •  815 Florida Avenue, NW